Matwetwe co-star Tebatso Mashishi breaks down at Sibusiso Khwinana’s home

In heartbreaking scenes on Sunday afternoon, Matwetwe co-star Tebatso Mashishi, who played Papi in the film, broke down in grief as soon as he walked into the late Sibusiso Khwinana’s home.

The two had been together when his co-star Khwinana was stabbed to death on Friday evening.

Tebatso Mashishi and Sibusiso Khwinana in a scene from Matwetwe. Photo: Universal Pictures

It's a very sombre mood at the home of slain rising star #SibusisoKhwinana after he was killed on Friday. @KagisoLediga just arrived at his home in Soshanguve. @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/brOFLCzsEd

— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) March 3, 2019

Actor, comedian, script writer and film maker Kagiso Lediga was also at the house in Soshanguve, Tshwane, following the shock on Saturday at the news that yet another promising talent had been stolen from the country by crime.

Khwinana was stabbed to death, reportedly over a cellphone, at Sterland Mall in Pretoria, Gauteng police said on Saturday.

Khwinana had played Lefa in Lediga’s hit film. He was 25. Khwinana was attending a screening of the film on Friday night.

The film’s producer, global star DJ Black Coffee, also tweeted his horror, asking for something to be done about crime in South Africa.

Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said on Saturday that arrests were yet to be made and cases of robbery and murder were being investigated.

“Police have opened a case of murder and robbery after a 25-year-old man was stabbed and killed in Pretoria on Friday, 01 March 2019 at approximately 11pm.”

“It is alleged that the deceased and his friend were at the corner Pretorius and Steve Biko Streets when the deceased was accosted by a suspect who demanded his cellphone. As they were wrestling for the cellphone, the deceased was allegedly stabbed with a sharp object on the upper body. He was certified dead on the scene,” said Masondo.

Matwetwe, which means Wizard, tells the story of Lefa and Papi, who are best friends and recent high school graduates, trying to make their way through their young lives.

Film critic Alex Isaacs said of the movie: “I think that Matwetwe is some of the best work our industry has to offer, not because it is perfect, but because it shows the intricacies of local life in a way that is relatable to a broad audience beyond our borders.”

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